Senators lose star, acquire star in NHL’s busy day

FILE - In this April 5, 2013, file photo, Anaheim Ducks' Bobby Ryan looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars in Anaheim, Calif. The Ottawa Senators have acquired Ryan in a trade with the Ducks. In acquiring the four-time 30-goal scorer, the Senators dealt forwards Jakob Silfverberg, Stefan Noesen and their first-round pick in next year's draft to Anaheim in the deal announced on Friday, July 5, 2013. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

In this March 12, 2013, photo, Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) checks Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference (21) during an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh. The Edmonton Oilers have signed former Bruins defenseman Ference to a four-year deal. Ference's deal is reportedly worth $13 million, and he would count $3.25 million against the salary cap. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

In this Jan. 21, 2013, file photo, Boston Bruins' Nathan Horton (18) shoots as Winnipeg Jets' Mark Stuart defends during an NHL hockey game in Boston. Horton, a 28-year-old, playoff-hardened free-agent right wing, signed a seven-year deal on Friday, July 5, 2013, worth $37.1 million with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He left the Bruins, with which he won the 2011 Stanley Cup and went to the finals this year. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

File-In this Dec. 9, 2010 file photo shows San Jose Sharks' Ryane Clowe against Buffalo Sabres during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y. The New Jersey Devils are investing a lot of money in a banged-up player, hoping he's healthy enough to provide a good return when he makes a move over the river. Clowe and the Devils have agreed to a $24.25 million, five-year contract, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke Friday July 5, 2013, to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the agreement had not yet been announced. (AP Photo/David Duprey, File)

Boston Bruins right wing Nathan Horton, right, smiles after scoring against Ottawa Senators goalie Robin Lehner (40) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Boston, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Bruins right wing Nathan Horton, right, smiles after scoring against Ottawa Senators goalie Robin Lehner (40) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Boston, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

FILE - In this April 5, 2013, file photo, Anaheim Ducks' Bobby Ryan looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars in Anaheim, Calif. The Ottawa Senators have acquired Ryan in a trade with the Ducks. In acquiring the four-time 30-goal scorer, the Senators dealt forwards Jakob Silfverberg, Stefan Noesen and their first-round pick in next year's draft to Anaheim in the deal announced on Friday, July 5, 2013. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

In this March 12, 2013, photo, Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) checks Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference (21) during an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh. The Edmonton Oilers have signed former Bruins defenseman Ference to a four-year deal. Ference's deal is reportedly worth $13 million, and he would count $3.25 million against the salary cap. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

FILE - In this May 7, 2013, file photo, Ottawa Senators' Daniel Alfredsson celebrates the Senators' 3-2 overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Ottawa, Ontario. Alfredsson is joining the Detroit Red Wings to make a one-year run at the Stanley Cup, and Stephen Weiss is in it for the long haul in the Motor City. Detroit got a deal done mere minutes after NHL teams could sign free agents on Friday afternoon, July 5, 2013, with Alfredsson, and agreed to terms with Weiss a couple hours later. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Fred Chartrand, File)

Daniel Alfredsson bolted from the Ottawa Senators to sign with the Detroit Red Wings, sensing that was the best move he could make in his drive to win a championship before his career ends.

“It’s all about trying to get the Stanley Cup,” he said.

The Senators, refusing to settle after losing Alfredsson, responded with a bold move to acquire Bobby Ryan from the Anaheim Ducks.

NHL teams made a big splash on the first day of free agency with a slew of signings and some trades.

Less than a year after the league’s latest lockout, many teams spent big bucks on free agents despite knowing they will have to deal with a smaller salary cap next season.

Ilya Bryzgalov and Jaromir Jagr were among the notable names hoping teams whiffed on other free agents.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were among the big spenders, signing former Boston Bruins wing Nathan Horton to a $37.1 million, seven-year contract.

Detroit, like Columbus, is heading to the Eastern Conference next season. The Red Wings made moves to try to extend their postseason streak to 23 and reach the Stanley Cup finals for the first time since 2009.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, coming off their first postseason appearance since 2004, also made a statement by signing New Jersey Devils forward David Clarkson to a $36.75 million, seven-year deal and keeping first-line center Tyler Bozak with a $21 million, five-year deal.

While the Red Wings were ready to lose Filppula, Ottawa wasn’t expecting Alfredsson to tell the front office he wanted to play elsewhere.

“It was a devastating conversation, a disappointing one, hard to swallow,” Senators General Manager Bryan Murray acknowledged. “But I understand a veteran player that hasn’t won and wants to win and sees a better opportunity.”

The Senators, though, got younger and perhaps better up front by acquiring Ryan. Ottawa sent forwards Jakob Silfverbeg, Stefan Noesen and its first-round pick in next year’s draft to the Ducks for the four-time 30-goal scorer. The 26-year-old Ryan has two years left on a five-year, $25 million contract.

Philadelphia Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren was one of the many NHL executives to talk to the Ducks about acquiring Ryan in recent years.

“We had conversations, but nothing that really ever made sense for us,” Holmgren said. “I think Anaheim made a good deal. I think both teams made a good deal.

“Ottawa obviously lost Alfredsson, and they were able to get Bobby Ryan. But they gave up one real good young player off their team, another good young player that I believe is going to play right away, and a first-round pick.

“I don’t want to say it’s a steep price, but for us to get in and weigh what it would have cost us, in my mind, that’s a lot.”

A lot of other teams also made moves to jockey for position in the parity-filled league:

∎ The Phoenix Coyotes, with a new owner, signed forward Mike Ribeiro to a $22 million, four-year contract.

∎ The New Jersey Devils signed forward Ryane Clowe to a five-year, $24.25 million contract, and forward Michael Ryder to a two-year, $7 million deal.

∎ The Philadelphia Flyers gave captain Claude Giroux an eight-year extension worth over $64 million and signed Chicago’s backup goalie Ray Emery to a one-year deal.

∎ The Edmonton Oilers signed former Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference to a $13 million, four-year contract.

∎ The Minnesota Wild, a year after signing the prizes of the free agent class, Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, inked defenseman Keith Ballard to a $3 million, two-year deal and re-signed defenseman Jared Spurgeon to a three-year, $8 million contract.

∎ The Dallas Stars, making a significant trade for a second straight day, acquired Edmonton Oilers center Shawn Horcoff for defenseman Philip Larsen and a 2016 seventh-round draft pick.